Southern Utah by Motorcycle

Utah Highway 95, south through Lake Powell National Recreation Area

Utah's southern region offers no apologies for its vast stretches of lonely highway, strange rock formations, and country towns still 50 years behind the times. And why would a motorcycle trekkie even want one?

Highway 12 was designated by the Federal Highway Administration as a National Scenic Byway in June 2002, and further designated as an All-American Road. Its 124 miles of curvy, sweeping two-lane asphalt take a motorcyclist back through time, perhaps millions of years ago, illustrating how the wind, rain, and rivers left behind their unusual marking on the land's reddish hues.

It's no wonder the Federal Highway Administration nicknamed it, "A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway".

But let's not forget Highway 24 through Capitol Reef, or Highway 95 through twisty canyons of Lake Powell, or Highway 261 down the Moki Dugway, or Highway 163 into Monument Valley, and of course Highway 9 through Zion National Park.  We did them all.

I left Southern California with six other friends in April 2009 during Easter Vacation week. It was cold the entire way through Utah, but weather was clear.  Our trek began in the west at Zion National Park, going north east up Highway 12 & 24 towards Hanksville. Then it was down Highway 95 & 261 into Natural Bridges and Mexican Hat and into Arizona.

I was on my 2005 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic. I was able to use the bike's built-in CB Radio and keep in communication with four of the six other riders.  Among us were 3 Goldwings, 2 Ultra Classics, a Honda Shadow, and a Kawasaki Vulcan.

The trip took 4 days and 3 nights. We camped at Zion National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Grand Canyon Caverns (AZ). The entire route from home back to home was 1,400+ miles.

Points of Interest along the way:

• Zion National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Grand Staircase Escalante
• Head of the Rocks
• Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Natural Bridges National Monument
• Moki Dugway
• Monument Valley
• Grand Canyon (AZ)
• Grand Canyon Caverns (AZ)

Day 1, after all day riding up from Southern California, Paul and MikeMo have fun at Zion National Park

Day 2, at Zion National Park

Day 2, Red Rocks, Dixie National Forest, Highway 12

Day 2, Me standing against Bryce Canyon

Day 2, a place called "Head of the Rocks" along Highway 12

Day 2, Highway 12 runs through this scenic canyon area

Day 2, Highway 12, ascending elevation up Boulder Mountain

Day 2, at Boulder Mountain Pass, highway 12

Day 2, Highway 24 through Capitol Reef National Park

Day 2, Highway 95 south, Mount Ellen in the distance

Day 2, Highway 95 south through Lake Powell Recreation Area

Day 2, Highway 95 south through Lake Powell Recreation Area

Day 2, Camping at Natural Bridges National Monument, it was really cold when we got there, and froze our asses at night.  No campfires allowed here, so all we had was this BBQ grill.

Day 3, standing atop Moki Dugway looking south towards Mexican Hat.  Highway 261 right.

Day 3, the Moki Dugway is a very twisty dirt road that descends the side of a cliff. It's officially Highway 261.

Day 3, Highway 261 south towards Monument Valley.  This horizon has been used in several movies.

Day 3, Monument Valley, Arizona.  The Navajos will charge you $5.00 to ride this 12-mile dirt road to get up-close shots
of the rock formations.

Day 3, Cameron, AZ. The blue Honda Shadow belongs to Gary. He says it only does 140 miles range. So we made him do 160 miles instead. He was one of the two riders without helmet communication, so he was shitting bricks the last 20 miles, but he made it.

Day 3, Larry, Brian, Gary, and Paul, at Grand Canyon.

Day 3, riding down Route 66, the Mother Road, Arizona

Day 3, camping at Grand Canyon Caverns. It was only $15.00 to camp for all bikes, has nice bathrooms and hot showers at no extra cost.

Day 4, Grand Canyon Caverns is about 100 miles south of Grand Canyon, but has a small air shaft connected to the Canyon.  You take this elevator down a few stories.  It's a privately owned cavern.

Day 4, inside Grand Canyon Cavern.  During the 1960s Russian Missile crisis, the federal government commandeered this cavern to store ammunition, food and water.

Day 4, Highway 95 south towards Lake Havasu, AZ

Day 4, Highway 62 west towards Joshua Tree National Park. The dashboard of my Harley-Davidson. I had to use a rubber band to secure my XM radio to its cradle because the bike kept vibrating it out.

You can see all 250 photos at my Google+ Album...

https://plus.google.com/photos/116269130583969708148/albums/5987469553335458433